Garment-clasp.



PATENTED MAR. 27, 1906.

M. B.- GARDNER.

GARMENT CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED APR.28, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARSHALL B. GARDNER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO S. v

FLORSHEIM & SON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A FIRM.

GARMENT-CLASP- Specification of Letters Patent.

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, h/IARSHALL B. GARD- NER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of garment-clasps in which a single thickness or a fold of fabric is clamped between two members in such manner that the fabric is held by frictional engagement with the surface of one of the members instead of by a penetration of the material. A familiar illustration of this type of device is that wherein a clasp member having a headed button, which is sometimes covered with rubber or cloth, is combined with a pear-shaped loop, the head of the button passing through the opening in the loop in its widest part and being drawn into the narrow or neck portion of the loop, so as to stretch the fabric over the head of the button and clamp it between the sides of the loop and the shank of the button. In this form of device the clamping is effected mainly by the wedging of the fabric between the sides of the loop and the shank of the button and by drawing the fabric tightly under the head of the button by the forward or closed end of the loop.

So far as I am aware the clasp above described is the most practical device yet proposed for the purpose intended; but it has certain objections, in that if the clamping is fully efiicient there is liability of injury to the fabric, and the engagement and release is not as rapid as desired.

It is the purpose of my invention to rovide an improved garment-clasp which s all be simple and convenient in operation, effective in holding, and readily engaged and released.

To these ends my invention consists chiefly in the provision of a holding device of novel form to be used in place of the usual headed button; and my invention consists in said holding device in combination with any suitable form of clasp member to cooperate therewith.

My-invention further consists in a clasp member of semi-oval form having an exterior covering of rubber.

My invention further consists in the preferred form in a holding member of semi-oval form having an opening in its base or broader portion and combined with a laterally-operating clasp member adapted to carry with it a thickness of the fabric into such opening while the material is stretched over the we ternal portion of the holding member.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my clasp attached by the usual loop to a section of elastic webbing provided with a sliding clasp. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is an edge view with the members separated, the holding member being partly in section and a portion of fabric inserted between the two members. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 40f Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detached plan views of the pivoted clamp, the base-plate and loop, and the holding member and its yoke or support, respectively.

In the drawings, 10 represents a section of elastic webbing provided with the usual slide 11 and loop member 12, which in the present instance is extended to afiord a base-plate 13 for the laterally-pivotedclasp member 14. These parts are connected by the pivot-pin 15, and the base-plates and clasp are each provided, respectively, with apertures 16 17, one wall of the aperture being reversely curved to provide entering-points 19 20. The base-plate 13 is provided with a slightlycurved slot 21, and the clasp member 14 is provided with a downwardly-turned end 22, entering said slot and riding in frictional contact with the curved wall thereof, so as to frictionally lock the hinged clasp member in engaging relation to the holding member. The latter is of semi-oval form and resembles a staple 23, the legs of which are secured in the outer end of the hinged support 24, which terminates in arms 25, whereby it is hinged to the base-plate 13 near the loop 12. This holding member may be made of a light metal rod or wire and is preferably covered with rubber tubing, as indicated at 26, either before or after it is bent to form. It should be so made as to provide a lateral opening 27 between the legs of the staples, into which lateral opening the fabric is forced by the points 19 and 20 of the clasp member 14 and the base-plate 13, respectively.

As constructed when the device is applied the members are separated, as shown in Fig. 3, and a single thickness or fold of the fabric Patented March 2'7. 1906."

say the upper end of the stockingis inserted between them, as indicated at 28. The parts are then closed, the holding member 23 carrying the fabric through the aperture 16 in the base-plate 13 and through the aperture 17 in the clasp member 14, the latter being at that time swung to one side to permit the holding member to enter. When entered, the clasp member is swung on its pivot, so as to force the fabric laterally into the sides of the opening 27, the heel 22 of the clasp riding on the wall of the slot 21 and frictionally locking the clasp member in position. To release, it is only necessary to apply the thumb to the swinging clasp, moving it slightly to one side, when owing to the form of the holding member the fabric will drop off or can be readily pulled off. In fact, it is only necessary to move the clasp member very slightly out of line, when a pull of the fabric will release the parts entirely, and in this action the fabric is more readily disengaged than with. the form of device using the headed button.

It will be observed that the holding member is cylindrical on its exterior surface, that it has no abrupt bend over which the fabric is flexed or drawn, and that therefore there is less liability of tearing or injuring the fabric. It is further to be observed that a very secure hold is effected, because of the extent of the surfaces in contact, and the engagement of the holding-points is sufficientv only to insure a good frictional contact without the excessive gripping present with the old form of loop and headed button.

While I prefer to provide the holding member with curved exterior surfaces only, it is obvious that the precise curve is not essential and may be varied without departure from the spirit of the invention.

Without, therefore, limiting my invention to the precise details of construction, I claim 1. In a garment-clasp, a holding member of fiat oval form, having a lateral opening on its side, and a clasp member adapted to press the fabric against the side of said holding member and into said opening, substantially as described.

2. In a garment-clasp, a holding member of flat oval form having a covering of frictional material and a lateral opening on its side and a clasp member adapted to hold the fabric against the side of said holding member and to press it into said opening, substantially as described.

'3. In a garment-clasp, a holding member having its outer surface symmetrically curved, and provided with a lateral opening on its side in combination with a clasp adapted to force the fabric against the side of said holding member, substantially as described.

4. In a garmentclasp, a holding member having a curved exterior and a lateral open ing, a support for said member and a laterally-acting clasp apertured for the passage of the holding member and having means to force the fabric intozthe lateral opening of the holding member, substantially as described.

5. In a garment-clasp, the combination of a holding member, a rigid support therefor, a base-plate to which the said support is hinged, said base-plate being perforated, and a laterally-acting clasp member pivoted on the base-plate and adapted to cooperate therewith to clasp the fabric on the sides of the holding member, substantially as described.

MARSHALL B. GARDNER.

Vitnesses:

FREDERICK O. GooDwIN, JAMES R. OFFIELD. 

